Charleroi teacher placed on court supervision

A former Charleroi Area High School teacher was placed on 12 months of court supervision for failing to report a student was having sex with the man hired to produce the district’s spring musical.

Jennifer M. Joyce, 27, of 104 Reed Ave., Apt. 8, Bellevue, appeared Jan. 9 before Washington County Judge John DiSalle and was admitted to the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition program for first offenders on the charge of failing to report suspected child abuse. If Joyce successfully completes the program, she can petition the court to have her record expunged.

According to court records, Joyce knew about the relationship between the 15-year-old female student and Jeffrey A. Hahn, 24, formerly of Belle Vernon, from March to May. At the time, Hahn was a seventh-grade teacher at Bethlehem-Center Middle School. He was hired to produce Charleroi’s spring musical.

Charleroi police reported Hahn was arrested for having sex with the girl May 4 in the basement of the school’s auditorium. He had started sending the girl text messages March 4. Five days later, the two allegedly pledged their love for each other.

Joyce was told of the relationship by the teen, records indicate. She is no longer with the school district, Superintendant Brad A. Ferko said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, DiSalle is allowing Hahn to remain free on $100,000 bond but he is forbidden to have any contact with the girl or any children who are not related to him. His teaching certification has been revoked.